Q&A: Impact Of IBM's POWER7 And PowerVM On Workload Optimized Systems Design

IBM's POWER7 system — arguably the most dramatic server design development since the first POWER4 dual-core microprocessor architecture — makes advanced virtualization stacks a core differentiator in creating next-generation workload-optimized systems architecture. However, for many I&O professionals, the feature and functions of microprocessors and/or microarchitectures won't be enough to put advanced virtualization stacks like POWER7 on their purchasing shortlists. Instead, you should seek the benefits of a balanced systems architecture design. IBM's clear leadership position in the traditional Unix area — coupled with its more advanced PowerVM virtualization stack — will continue to be the core reason to adopt IBM technology. The PowerVM stack also gives POWER7 advantages over other hypervisor-based systems alternatives and, most importantly, the ability to equally support complex, mixed-application workloads across multiple operating systems. And finally, another key component of short-listing POWER7 will be attacking the I&O objective of lowering the life-cycle costs in owning an enterprise computing footprint.